Customs Broker FAQ’s

What is a Customs Broker?

A Customs Broker is a highly trained import professional . Licensed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the customs broker must possess thorough knowledge of tariff schedules and Customs regulations and keep abreast of the amendments made through constant changes in the law and administrative regulations.

Licensing as a Customs Broker requires that the applicant must first pass a test conducted by U.S. Customs on the laws and regulations pertaining to the entry of goods into the United States. If the applicant successfully passes the test (failure rate is over 50%) then he/she must undergo a comprehensive background investigation by U.S. Customs. After this, the applicant may be licensed as a Customs Broker. A Corporation, to be licensed as a Customs Broker, must have a licensed broker as a corporate officer.

A Customs Broker must be bonded and must file a bond with Customs as a requirement of being issued the Customs Brokers license. The Customs Broker’s license is applicable on a nationwide basis but the Broker must secure a “Customhouse broker permit” for each Customs District he/she intends to operate in, before doing business. As a further requirement called “responsible supervision”, each Customs Broker must have a licensed person located in each Customs District in order to be permitted in that District.

Most Customs Brokers (ourselves included) maintain relationships with other “associate” Customs Brokers around the country that allow the Broker to clear cargo through Customs for a client at any port of entry. This does not result in additional costs for the client since the work, and the fees charged, are allocated to each broker on a shared basis.

What Does a Customs Broker Do?

The complexity of the job is evident when one considers that for every shipment entering the United States there is an official greeting: 500 pages of Customs Regulations and thousands of tariff items. The broker must be well versed in determining proper classifications and dutiable value and be be fully aware of the vast number of commodities subject to quotas. Customs regulations are constantly changing so interpreting the regulations and classifying the merchandise being entered requires that the Customs Broker update and maintain his/her knowledge of Customs’ regulations and opinions on a myriad of subjects. The Customs Broker is considered an expert by U.S.Customs.

It is important to state that you are not required to use a Customs Broker on some importations.

If you are willing to maintain a bond with Customs, purchase “ABI” (Automated Broker Interface) software which allows you to connect directly with Customs Computers. If you then become approved by Customs as an “ABI” filer, hire employees whose responsibility will be to know Customs regulations. If you then will be willing to be completely responsible for fines and penalties if a mistake should occur, you might not need the services of a licensed Broker.

Also, if the value of your importation will not exceed $2,500 in total value, you can do your own clearance. This is known as an “informal clearance” where you simply take your invoices and shipping documents to the Customs office and the Inspector will process the entry and collect duties. For the importer with small, infrequent transactions, this might be a good idea.

Why Use a Customs Broker?

Your Customs Broker handles the details of entering your merchandise into the United States and is involved with Customs and the Carriers on a daily basis. As a result, friendships are built with carriers’ employees, familiarity with your merchandise is built, and many problems can be identified before they have a chance to occur.

Many Brokers (ourselves included) help clients choose modes of transportation and appropriate carriers, a task which requires analyses of a vast body of data. We also provide assistance to importers in assigning the best routes on shipments, preparing cost estimates, Letter of Credit consulting, cargo insurance, packaging, and assistance in dealing with other regulatory agencies. The broker’s operation often trancends Customs, calling for contact with more than 40 other government agencies, such as the Department of Agriculture (USDA) on meat importation, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on vehicle emission standards, or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on product safety.

Some of the services may include:

Assistance in transportation arrangements from the vendor in country of origin, to your door.

Of course, there are many other things that a Customs Broker, by virtue of his/her experience and training can do for the importer. As the Customs Broker becomes more familiar with your business, you will find that the relationship becomes one similar to your relationship with your CPA or attorney.

Most Customs Brokers are also licensed by the Federal Maritime Commission as Ocean Freight Forwarders (now called “Ocean Transport Intermediaries”) (OTI). This means that they will have numerous contacts within the freight community and can assist in shipping your goods on a worldwide basis.

When is the best time to talk to your Customs Broker?

Before your shipment arrives or before your first entry.

Clearance of my merchandise: What do I need?

Your Customs Broker requires the following, at a minimum, in order to prepare an entry:

Commercial Invoice – Preferably in English, which describes the product, terms of sale, and the purchase price FOB origin port. If the product originates in a country other than the one you purchase from, the actual country of origin of the merchandise should appear somewhere on the invoice. The name of the seller and the buyer and the currency of purchase should be clearly stated. Some importers think that they should include as little information as possible in the invoices they provide to their Customs Broker. This works against you! When we can’t get enough information to substantiate a lower duty classification on merchandise, we are required to use the higher classification. So, give your Customs Broker enough information to do the job properly.

Bill of lading or Air Waybill – This is the transport document that covered the movement from origin to the port of entry.

Country of origin Marking – One of the most common problems that will hold up an entry is when the product or merchandise does not have any marking which indicates its origin. “Origin” does not necessarily mean where you bought it. “Origin” should be discussed with your Customs Broker so that you understand the term as it relates to U.S. Customs. Marking requirements are clearly stated in the regulations and your broker can be a valuable asset in determining what you must do.

Other regulatory agencies – Some products are also subject to approval by other agencies of the U.S. Government before entry is approved. Among these are: Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Transportation (DOT), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and others. Discuss this with your Customs Broker. He will coordinate entry with these agencies as part of his/her service.

How long does it take? After the first few entries, where Customs may take a little extra time to become familiar with your company and the products you import, the usual time for clearance can be a short as a few hours up to 2-3 days. Perishables are usually cleared immediately.

Your Cooperation – The Customs Broker is a professional that wants to do the best job for a Client. In order for this to happen, the client should work closely with the Customs Broker in supplying needed information, paying duties (import taxes) on time, and generally including the Customs Broker as part of the Client’s team. Remember, your Broker has the right to rely upon the information you supply. If the information is erroneous or incomplete and a penalty is issued by Customs, YOU will be receiving that penalty.

Why should I consider using SEARIDERS™ as my customs broker?

We’re good at what we do.

We’ve been doing it quite a while.

Our customers like us and will tell you so.

We have a worldwide network of agents so you control your shipping cost.

We want your business and are willing to work to keep it.

Please Read our “Terms and Conditions of Service” that are available on this site. These are used by members of the National Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association of America [NCBFAA] to clearly explain our responsibilities and liabilities.